I've lost 30 pounds so far...but I am wondering if I should take a week off or a day or what after it is all over

- I want to reward myself for this nightmare I am putting myself through, and I already have my post bet plan to be healthy again...but I don't know whether to eat my favorite "bad foods" (e.g. double whopper w/ cheese + fries) for a day or a week what?

How long should my big rewarding break be ? ?

Wed. Apr 23, 4:27pm

I say pig out for a day, you probably won't be able to stomach more than that after being so good. But try to find a way to reward yourself that doesn't involve food too. Maybe something you've wanted to buy.
Congrats!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 4:48 PM

congrats

well you are probably going to have some serious digestion issues if you have been healthy for a few months -

I would go for 1 day indulge in breakfast - then eat a healthy lunch and dinner.
The next day indulge in lunch, but have a healthy bfast and dinner
and then the third day treat yourself to dinner, bfast and lunch healthy.

This way you are still keeping yourself somewhat on track, you get to enjoy your reward for 3 days, and you arent going to shock your system as much.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 4:54 PM

OP--can I ask what you've been doing to lose so much weight in a short period of time? I am starting to feel hopeless! I work out three to four times a week and watch my calories and the scale still isn't moving! I've been doing this for months!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 4:57 PM

Great idea 4:54! That way you can stay on track and indulge at the same time.
I know that the longer I stray from my healthy eating the harder it is to reign myself back in. If I ate "bad foods" for a week it would take me another week after that to get back into the habit of healthy eating.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 4:58 PM

30 lbs in 3 months, and planning the mother of all binges weeks in advance as a "reward". Have you learned NOTHING??

Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 4:59 PM

ha ha thanks y'all...

no I am not going to have the "mother of all binges" - I like 4:54's plan...
and I guess three days really is the most I should do with at least a few healthy meals in there...

4:47 - I did a really cool four phase plan I made up that slowly increased my cardio and decreased weights and slowly dropped my calorie intake. So then I continued to lose weight... it has been really hard though, I think people who say you dan't have to be hungry to lose weight are just lying to sell you something, I have been a little hungry most of the time...but I will go back to a more normal level after I take my short break.

Thanks for the advice I really appreciate it...

-OP

Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 5:18 PM

I disagree OP, you really don't have to be hungry all the time to lose weight, it depends on the time of month. lol

Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 10:16 PM

I just have to agree with the poster who said you probably won't feel well.
I have been doing this new life style for almost a year and take a once a month day off. So I can have those foods that I still crave. And mostly so I don't feel deprived. But when I do I get so sick. My system doesn't like greasy foods. It likes veggies. Mostly. So be prepared for cramping and possible extra time in the bathroom.

And on the hunger issue, try more veggies. The only time I am ever hungry is if I am away from home so I can't get to something healthy.
Roasted veggies, soups, adding chopped sauted veggies in with your meats.. Veggies are a great filler.

Congratulations on how well you have done.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 10:34 PM

thanks ...10:16 I am a guy so lol is right ;)

I will be careful and not go too crazy after the bet I hear the great advice about feeling gross! That is really what I needed !
plus, i want too keep up the good rhythm I have got now too

I know you don't have to be really hungry all the time, but I do feel like a little hunger throughout the day is okay, like having a little headache or arthritis or a small backache or something. You really get used to it and it becomes normal to you...

Thursday, April 24, 2008, 10:23 AM

Well one thing is you should feel hungry. I realized after I lost the weight that wow it's amazing about 11:30 I start to feel hungry like my body is telling me it needs food. It's an amazing concept not to eat because the clock tells you too but because your body is telling you to. I think many people in America never feel hungry because they are constantly overfull.

Thursday, April 24, 2008, 11:23 AM

definitely agree with the previous poster.
i've been experiencing this too with the more weight I lose.

Thursday, April 24, 2008, 1:50 PM

11:23 and 1:50

...I do a little better with the hunger by eating snacks only at 6,8,10,12,2,4 and dinner at 6 - this way my stomach stays small and the hunger is not as bad...

-OP

Thursday, April 24, 2008, 5:17 PM

mmind sharing your plan op?

Friday, April 25, 2008, 5:13 AM

5:13 - it is a little complicated - I've asked PT if I can Blog it...

-OP

Friday, April 25, 2008, 11:16 AM

I would LOVE to read your blog! Sounds like you've put alot of hard work into it and determination.

I think have one or two great meals, and reward yourself with sexy clothes rather than food. that always throws me off track for a long time when i do that.

Friday, April 25, 2008, 12:15 PM

OP has learned nothing...

if you are still looking to reward yourself with food, you have only skimmed the surface of your weight issues. Restricting yourself for a while and then binging can lead to binge eating on a regular basis. As one of my favorite team members said "This is not a nutrition vacation - this is a lifestyle!"

Indulging in a few favorites here or there is fine - as long as they are balanced out. But planning a binge and then for a period of time is dangerous. I really hope you learn to make long-term, permanent changes and that this is a constant learning journey. Not just a break.

Friday, April 25, 2008, 1:56 PM

learning ZERO ?

Ha Ha 1:56 - that is a little harsh don't you think ? ?

I HAVE made "permanent" changes - THREE months is a long time and before that I had been working on being healthier for a while too.
I have not only changed my usual daily habits but really attacked my biggest weaknesses (weekends, social eating, house-sitting, eating out) and been quite sucessful. But I am a guy at 170 lbs and eating 1200 calories +/- for three months has been really hard and I think I deserve a little break. Just like I will take from my 10 hour a week intense workout regimen.
I look forward to starting up again with my great new habits after just a few days (just a little less drasticly than before)

If I want a couple of truly awesome cheat meals after all that I think that is just fine... don't worry, I will get back on the horse again pretty quickly.

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